Inexpensive Theatre District Food Recommendations?

[Lumiere2]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 2:08am

I'm from Toronto, and my fiancee and I are coming in to NYC for a week just after Easter to see several shows, but we're coming on a tight budget. We're looking for recommendations of places you like to eat that's inexpensive; ideally $15-20 or less per person.

It doesn't have to be fancy, and can range anywhere from a food cart to fine dining. (I know, I know, there's no $15 fine dining anywhere, but my point being we're open to anything so long as it's cheap.) Also doesn't matter if its breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert, bars, whatever!

We're not really leaving the theatre district/Times Square area, so the more and more varied suggestions you have the better. Thanks in advance!

[conealpetterson]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 2:21am

At that price range, Joe’s Pizza near Times Square is great for a slice.  I also really like Red Poke.  

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 4:03am

Amy's Bread over on 9th Street has some wonderful soups and sandwiches. Lots of great baked goods as well. Limited seating, but good for a grab and go.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 7:39am

If the weather is nice and I'm watching a show at the northern part of Times Sq, I like to eat at Halal Guys food cart at 53rd st and 6th Ave. There's always a line but the wait is normally less than 5 mins. For $10 you get a meal with a drink. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emmXWi4iAW4 I walk 1/2 a block between 6/7 avenues on 53rd st or 52nd st where there are several outdoor public tables to sit and eat. There are public benches near 53/6 as well. Great for people watching.

If you don't mind fast food, I think the best deal in that area is the 4 for $4 meal at Wendy's. Another favorite is Popeye's. The chicken sandwich is only $3.99.

I also like El Rancho on 45th street right across from Schmakary's. Really good Mexican food and my meal tends to range $7-$12 there.

Another good one is Empanada Mama (52nd st and 9th ave) where 2-3 empanadas at $2-$3 each is enough to make me full.

 
 

Updated On: 4/9/22 at 07:39 AM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 8:51am

Dallas BBQ is in that price range. 

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 9:08am

It's just out of your price range, but if you can spare a few dollars, I recommend John's Pizza of Times Square. However, it can be busy at times, so plan accordingly. It's right across the street from the Majestic Theatre (Phantom Of The Opera).

Menu (Prices Included): https://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/Times-Square-Menu/timessquaremenu

[Nycat63]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 9:49am

Los Tacos #1 has a location on 43rd.  Totto Ramen On 51st in Hells Kitchen.  

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 10:00am

Qi Thai 698 9th Ave (48th St.) - nice atmosphere, presentation and tasty food.  Lunch specials too.  https://www.yelp.com/biz/qi-new-york-3

Carve -47th & 8 - zero atmosphere as it’s a tiny deli but they have a few counter seats for a quick bite. Just had their $5 chicken soup and it was very tasty. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 10:32am

Taco Bell on the NE corner of 8th Avenue & W. 51st Street.  I always make a stop here whenever I’m heading home from the theatre district, even after a show.  

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 10:35am

I eat at Turco Mediterranean Grill about 3 times a month. It is over on 9th between 43rd and 44th. Their prices went up a bit but a Gyro Sandwich is just under $10.00 and it is huge and delicious. I never finish it in one sitting. I am also addicted to their Ezme. I used to get it just on my sandwich but now I just buy it as a side and take it home to eat.

It is just off the corner of 43rd. You can walk right past it so you kind of have to look for it on the east side of the street. You can sit in the dining area in the back or take it out.

https://www.turconyc.com/our-menu

 

 

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 10:51am

Schnipper’s on the corner of 8th and 41st. Shake Shack on the corner of 8th and 44th. Yum Yum Too on 9th/46th if you want a sit down / wait service meal - they used to have a prefixe lunch menu for about $8-12 a person; though not sure if they still do that. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 10:52am

Look at 9th Ave, where there are a TON of restaurants and things can be slightly cheaper than elsewhere in midtown. Notably a number of Thai/Asian places on there with entrees under $20 (some with lunch specials).

You'll be able to get a sandwich (or salad or other things) for $7-$12 at nearly any deli/bodega –– the caveat being most of them don't have places to sit and eat, so you'd have to take your food to a park or eat on the go.

There are of course the staples of pretty-quick-but-not-fast food: Chipotle, Deep (which is like Chipotle for Indian food), Sweetgreen, Chopt, Fresh & Co, Pret, Europa (avoid the latter two unless in a real bind).

I haven't been to the food hall at Grand Central in a couple years, what are those prices like?

[Nomusicalsforme]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 11:51am

Another vote for Turco. Great quality/price point and they have a dining room you can sit in. 

[EmmaCifront]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 11:59am

Westway Diner on 44th and 9th is a cheap classic! Definitely a favorite pre-show spot when we are low on cash.

[Bigserver1]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 12:19pm

B Side pizza on 51st and 9th is some of my favorite pizza in the city and it’s in your price point. If you’re not drinking, you can do Dutch Fred’s (47th and 8th) for $20 a person too. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 12:33pm

Lucky Burger on 52nd and 9th is cheap and yummy. Many sandwiches are 10 or under. Limited seating but most are doing takeout. I’ve never had a problem getting a seat. If you don’t want a burger, hot dog or chicken sandwich they have a crispy quinoa sandwich which is good and a Beyond sausage.
 

Also the Panda Express on 46th and 9th is always clean, a good amount of seating in the black. I’ve found their food very delicious, hot and fast. Great cooks and staff. It’s fast food yes, but it’s yummy and flavorful. 
 

Pongsri on 48th has delicious Thai that is inexpensive. They also have lunch specials for $10 or under. I’ve seen many Broadway actors eating in here. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 12:48pm

Ippudo can get expensive based upon your order but the ramen (and I would argue, quite possibly the best in the City) comes in for under 20. Splurge and share some pork bao buns and you got one of my favorite meals on this planet!

[teatime2]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 12:50pm

Westway forever and always

[Dan6]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 1:02pm

If you're looking for a couple of good pizza slices for a meal (and in NY, why wouldn't you be?), my favorite in the theater district is Patzeria on 46th btw Broadway and 8th. Lots of options, always fresh and good, and two slices with toppings and a beverage will fill me up for under $15.

[HBBrock]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 1:34pm

Without question - Empanada Mama in Hell's Kitchen. 52nd and 9th. We go before shows regularly.

[TheaterMe]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 3:01pm

We ate at TeriyakiRUs between 6th and 7th on 49th and had delicious meal for $8.99.
We found this place while checking out the nearby ramen place that always has a line.
We kept going when we saw the generic ramen was $18.

I agree with Turco.  Their Gyro was amazing.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 3:02pm

Dan6 said: "If you're looking for a couple of good pizza slices for a meal (and in NY, why wouldn't you be?), my favorite in the theater district is Patzeria on 46th btw Broadway and 8th. Lots of options, always fresh and good, and two slices with toppings and a beverage will fill me up for under $15. "

Patzeria is actually my favorite pizza place in the city. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 4:10pm

A completely unoriginal choice, but when I'm with a group of people with different preferences, sometimes we'll do the Whole Foods at Bryant Park because everyone can find something they like among the dining options there.

[kurtal]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 4:44pm

I'll second the votes for Empanada Mama and Los Tacos.  I would also put Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles II (on 9th between 45/46) in the mix.  You can get an amazing plate of authentic knife-cut noodles for about $12.  And you can get in and out in under half an hour easily.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/9/22 at 5:53pm

If you order carefully (soup and salad), Junior's can be very reasonable and GOOD.